UTI

Estero Healthcare

Family Medicine Clinic located in Fort Myers Beach, FL

For women, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more than a minor inconvenience. The pain and discomfort that come with a UTI can hijack your entire well-being, making medical intervention a good idea. At Estero Healthcare, the qualified team can help bring quick resolution to UTIs for women in north and south Fort Myers Beach, Florida. If a UTI has you down and out, call one of the two locations, use the online booking tool, or simply come in during their hours of operation.

UTI Q & A

What is a urinary tract infection?

Your urinary system contains several components, including your:

Bladder

Urethra

Kidneys

Ureter

Your bladder and urethra are considered your lower urinary tract, which is where most UTIs occur because it’s more accessible to bacteria.

Women are far more prone to UTIs because of the short distance between their urethras and their anuses, which can harbor gastrointestinal bacteria. On top of this proximity, women have far shorter urethras, which makes it easier for bacteria to make their way into their bladders.

What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

The most common symptoms of a UTI are:

Pain or burning during urination

The urge to urinate frequently, even though not much comes out

Cloudy urine

Blood in your urine

A foul odor to your urine

Low back pain

These symptoms tend to come on and progress very quickly. While most infections aren’t terribly dangerous, and easily resolved by the personnel at Estero Healthcare, early intervention is key to preventing the infection from spreading to your kidneys, which can be more serious. If your infection has spread to your kidneys, you might experience:

Fever

Nausea

Vomiting

Pain in your back and sides

Again, this condition is more problematic and you should get to the urgent care clinic at Estero Healthcare as soon as possible.

How is a urinary tract infection treated?

When you come into Estero Healthcare, your provider reviews your symptoms and takes a urine sample, which they send to the on-site lab for a quick look under a microscope. If they confirm that you have an infection, they prescribe a course of antibiotics, which go to work very quickly. In fact, most infections can be cleared up with just three days of antibiotics.

Your health care provider also provides you with some recommendations for preventing another UTI down the road, such as:

Wiping from front to back when you go to the bathroom

Urinating shortly after intercourse

Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water

If you have a urinary tract infection, get prompt medical attention at Estero Healthcare. Simply call ahead for an appointment, use the online scheduling tool, or come in during the hours of operation.